The Congress on Monday demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge into the violence in Arunachal Pradesh that left at least three people dead and several injured. The party sought the removal of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju for accusing the Congress of “instigating” the people.
Senior leader Luizinho Faleiro, former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Arunachal Pradesh Congress chief Takam Sanjoy submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s office.
At a press conference, Mr. Sanjoy accused the BJP government in the State of pursuing divisive politics by first bringing in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and then deciding to grant permanent residents certificate (PRC) to six tribal communities from outside Arunachal Pradesh. “Why does the BJP want to make Arunachal Pradesh a second Kashmir,” he asked.
“Kiren Rijiju has tweeted that the Congress instigated [the protesters]. Mr. Kiren you have to prove it. We have urged the Home Ministry to find out who has instigated,” he said.
Alleging that Mr. Rijiju, MP from the State, had failed the people of Arunachal Pradesh by not trying to restore normality, the Congress demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ask him to step down or sack him.
PRC issue
Violent protests broke out in the State over the decision to grant the PRC to Deoris, Sonowal-Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings, who are living in Namsai and Changlang districts of the State and the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar.
Though the State government scrapped its decisions following the protests, the Congress leaders pointed out the situation was tense and Chief Minister Pema Khandu had failed to effectively to handle the situation.
